Hello! I am Keely age 35. I was born with epilepsy as a baby. I got diagnosed at the age of 4. I have Absence Seizures (a kind of generalized onset seizure, meaning it begins in both sides of the brain at the same time).
It was hard growing up with epilepsy and having daily hospital appointments. My first memory I have about my epilepsy is from when I was six. I realized that I stand it out from the world and I remember coming home from the hospital with wires in my head, which had to be there overnight. They were there to scan my brain for more seizures. I didn’t even know what epilepsy was then. I just remember asking my mum was I different.
As I got older, my epilepsy effected my work life. I can’t work due to a lot of memory loss and drowsiness. Does it effect my independence? Yes. Epilepsy is life changing. But I hold onto the hope that I can and will always do everything I want in my life. I believe you can do anything if you put your mind to it. I don’t think having a disability should stop you — it only makes you more motivated to go for everything in life!
I am currently on Levetiracetam, and next month I will be back with a neurologist for more updates. I am sharing my own life with epilepsy to tell everyone that it’s ok and too never let anything hold you back. My epilepsy is my superpower and it is yours too. We are strong warriors and our voices should be heard.
What a cure for epilepsy would mean to Keely
It would mean having a bit of my life back. I always hold on to hope that it will get better for everyone with epilepsy.